Celebrity chef ART SMITH will revamp the menu at Splitsville in the new Sparkman Wharf. Smith is known for his Florida-inspired Southern cuisine, including fried chicken. The venue is expected to reopen in October.
The building that houses Mise En Place was recently purchased by Gianco Cos. and Tricera Capital and will be rebranded as LAFAYETTE ARCADE (above). While the restaurant will remain, the rest of the building will be converted into mixed-use retail and office spaces.
Tampa International Airport announced that Delta will begin nonstop flights between Tampa and AMSTERDAM in May 2019. According to the airport, the flights will contribute $110 million annually to the local economy and will connect Tampa residents to more than 80 locations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The CROSS-BAY FERRY between St. Petersburg and Tampa will return from November to April. Tickets will be slightly cheaper than during the ferry’s initial 2016-17 run, maxing out at $8 per way for adults. Service will run seven days a week.
Two Tampa hospitals rose to the top of U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings. TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL was named the second-best hospital in Florida, while MOFFITT CANCER CENTER ranked as the eighth-best cancer hospital in the country — the highest ranking of any hospital in the Southeast.
St. Petersburg favorites BODEGA and MANDARIN HEIGHTS opened a shared Seminole Heights location in July. Bodega specializes in Latin American-influenced sandwiches and juices; Mandarin Heights is known for its unique, handcrafted cocktails.
The Pasco County-based SORRENTO SWEETS will open a Hyde Park Village location this fall. Sorrento Sweets will serve traditional Italian cookies, pastries and cakes plus shakes, gelato floats and espresso.
Legendary Seminole Heights diner Nicko’s Fine Foods, which once played host to Elvis Presley, will now be occupied by the CHOP CHOP SHOP. The Asian fusion spot will move up the street from its current Florida Avenue location, with a new concept coming in that space.
The TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS placed first in the NFL’s “Voice of the Fan” survey for their use of in-stadium technology. Raymond James Stadium features more than 31,000 square feet of HD video boards, including four towers of HD video walls. The survey also cited the user-friendliness of the team’s official app.
A new infrared sauna spa called SWEATOLOGY recently opened in Palma Ceia. Created by celebrity makeup artist Jessica Payne and Bianca Benedetto, the spa features saunas that can burn up to 600 calories in a 30-minute session, plus LED facials, skin care products and juices.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND’S average home price is expected to rise to just over $1 million over the next year, making it one of America’s “million dollar cities.” The island’s current average home price is $964,200.
BUSCH GARDENS came in at No. 12 in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice awards for Best Amusement Parks and Water Parks in the U.S. The park owned by SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. is also ranked the No. 21 amusement park in the world and the No. 1 activity to do or place to go in Tampa.
